In most cases I think the quality is better, not because US employees can sew better, but because of the nature the companies left making gear here in the states. What is left are small businesses generally making niche gear in many cases by the owners themselves. Prices are generally higher reflecting, among other things, less mass production. That certainly doesn't mean off shore brands are crap. Would you rather have a down bag by Western Mountaineering or Marmot? Both are good, most would prefer Western Mountaineering. The attention to the really small details throughout the entire product is what makes the Western bag better.